Expression and function of Ikaros in the cell development of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC)
Hilde Schjerven, Professor
UC San Francisco
Applications for Spring 2025 are closed for this project.
The Schjerven Lab at UCSF studies the transcription factor Ikaros (encoded by the Ikzf1 gene) and its different biological roles in immune cell development and disease. In a recent collaborative work, we found that the transcription factor Ikaros is expressed in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC), and important for the proper development of these cells. In this part of the project, we aim at defining when in ontogeny Ikaros is expressed, and in which of the early progenitor and developing cells it is expressed.
Role: In general, the student will learn and perform laboratory research techniques and methods relevant to the project, and the extent of repertoire of methods the student will learn, will depend on time spent, skillsets and learning curve.
The undergraduate student will learn and perform molecular biology techniques such as PCR, which is an essential part of genotyping. The student will also learn and perform mouse husbandry and colony maintenance, as well as necropsies to isolate tissues and cells from mice, and how to process and analyze these using different techniques, including flow cytometry for single cell analysis of cell populations. Additionally, the student will learn general laboratory tasks, literature research, flow cytometry, scientific data analysis, figure preparation and presentation of research project.
Qualifications: Ability to travel to UCSF Parnassus campus 1-2 times per week (hours are to be negotiated, but realistic range from 9 hours per week and up). Interest in working with mice. Interest and some completed or ongoing coursework in molecular biology, cellular biology, developmental biology, immunology or related topics. Interest in a career in laboratory biomedical research, strong sense of responsibility, integrity, organized and self-motivated. We are positive to students who have interest in continuing in the lab over more than one semester, and who are considering pursuing a Ph.D. degree in the future.
We will interview interested students (Zoom) and we will ask for additional information (including list of relevant classes taken) at time of invite to interview.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Joshua Bernil, Staff Researcher
Hours: to be negotiated
Off-Campus Research Site: UCSF Parnassus campus (on site, in lab), accessible by N-Judah and MUNI busses #6 and 43. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) 513 Parnassus Ave, MSB-S1479 San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Related website: https://schjervenlab.ucsf.edu
Related website: https://bms.ucsf.edu/people/hilde-schjerven-phd